3 Trades that would make the Los Angeles Lakers instant title contenders

Lakers go all-in on Trae Young

The Atlanta Hawks have committed to a future without Dejounte Murray by trading the former All-Star to the New Orleans Pelicans. The deal was centered around draft compensation and promising 2022 lottery pick Dyson Daniels.

Considering the Hawks traded one of the best guards in the NBA for a pure focus on the future, perhaps the Lakers could land Trae Young under similar conditions.

In this trade, the Lakers give up two starters in Rui Hachimura and D'Angelo Russell, and a potentially important reserve in Gabe Vincent for Young. It's essential to get the deal done, as Young has a massive salary of $43,031,940 that will be tough to otherwise match.

Atlanta could include Bruno Fernando in the trade if they're looking to make the salaries a bit more balanced, but the core of this deal is acquiring Young.

In Los Angeles, Young would have a chance to orchestrate an elite pick-and-roll with Anthony Davis. He could also take a heavy playmaking burden off of LeBron James while operating in a co-playmaking backcourt with Austin Reaves.

There are concerns about Young's defense and off-ball preferences, but if the Lakers are simply looking for talent, he may be the best available player on the open market.